Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker has made his first tentative steps towards a first team return after playing his first match of the season.

Parker, 32, played the entire 90 minutes of a 5-1 reserve friendly defeat by Ipswich at Spurs Lodge training ground, as he continued his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp is believed to be eager to add Parker to his squad in January, but Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas insists he is not ready to offload the club's Player of the Year from last season.

Parker faces a fight to get himself back into the Spurs side, as Brazilian midfielder Sandro has impressed in his absence. But Villas-Boas is enthused about Parker's imminent return.

"We have players coming back to fitness and Scott can be so important for us," he said. "He was player of the season last year and we expect him to be one of our main strengths.

"He hasn't lost his abilities. Now we have resumed light training with him, he has been absolutely amazing."

Parker will look to play one more reserve team game before attempting to force his way back into the Tottenham line-up.